Over the past week, many of you have seen news stories and dramatic AI renderings depicting a proposed $22 billion transformation of Washington Dulles International Airport. These images have understandably generated significant concern within the preservation community and among those who value Eero Saarinen's internationally significant terminal.

The unsigned renderings were an agglomeration created by United Airlines of the more than 30 ideas that the Department of Transportation received in response to its December 2025 solicitation.

Recently, Docomomo US met with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (Virginia SHPO) to discuss the status of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) redevelopment proposal and the recently executed Programmatic Agreement governing the Section 106 review process.

Based on that discussion, we understand that the renderings and concepts recently released to the public do not appear to correspond to the project that has undergone environmental review and Section 106 consultation to date.

Docomomo US has been provided information explaining how the newly released concepts relate to the approved project or the existing Programmatic Agreement.

Washington Dulles International Airport is one of the most significant works of Modern architecture in the United States. Saarinen's 1962 terminal is recognized nationally and internationally as an icon of twentieth-century design and engineering, and the airport remains one of the country's most important Modern cultural resources. Any proposal that could affect its architectural integrity deserves careful analysis, meaningful public engagement, and full compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and the Section 106 Review process.

Docomomo US is actively engaged in conversations regarding the proposed devastating changes to the Section 106 Review process. To date, those changes have not been approved, and we stand behind the National Historic Preservation Act and the law as it is currently written.

Docomomo US wants our members to know that protecting the architectural integrity of Dulles International Airport is one of our highest advocacy priorities and we are actively monitoring this situation. We are in communication with the Virginia SHPO and other consulting parties and will continue to evaluate any new information as it becomes available. Should the scope of the project change or additional review become necessary, Docomomo US will advocate for a transparent process that fully considers the potential effects on this extraordinary landmark. We will continue to keep our members informed and will respond forcefully to any proposal that threatens the character-defining features or historic significance of Eero Saarinen's masterpiece.

The Future of Dulles Depends on Us

Dulles airport is a symbol of American innovation, optimism, and design, and we need your support to save it! Docomomo US is greatly in need of funds to continue our critical work protecting this modern landmark, and the many others threatened by the proposed gutting of the historic preservation process as we know it. Please consider donating to the Docomomo US Advocacy Fund today so we can respond to this unprecedented moment.

Sources

“United Vision’s for Dulles is a Go,” Airport Architecture, August 3, 2026.

“President Trump and Department of Transportation reveal plans to update Dulles Airport,” The Architect’s Newspaper, July 30, 2026.

Dulles Transformation Project Renderings, flydulles.com, accessed August 6, 2026.